Neighborhood Outdoor Movie Night

Did you ever want to do something that would bring together the community, help build relationships with your neighbors, something that would be enjoyable for everyone and yet affordable, something that people would remember and talk about? Why not host a neighborhood outdoor movie night.

There are for sure pros and cons to living in town, but what many count as one of the cons I actually think of as one of the blessings and that’s a community of people who can be there for one another. Sometimes building a real sense of community in a neighborhood can be tough especially nowadays when people don’t mingle like they used too. That’s why I think hosting a neighborhood outdoor movie night is a great idea. We just did this the other night and had a great turn out. Sure there is an initial cost to getting the materials you need but they can be used and enjoyed for years to come.

.

Let’s take a look at what we used and what you could use to get started.

.

First I purchased a projector. I purchased a cheaper one that was just under a hundred dollars. It worked really well we just had to wait for it to get good and dark outside because the lumens were less than the more high end models, however the picture was very clear and plenty bright once it was dark out. My research led me to believe that a projector with 2000 to 3000 lumens would be better for the task and allow you to start the movie a little earlier but I’m not disappointed in the purchase I made of this 1200 lumen projector, It was much cheaper and did great.

You will also need some external speakers. There is a speaker built into this projector but it isn’t very loud and we expected quite a crowd so I purchased the Logitech Multimedia Speakers Z213, these worked great and were inexpensive. If you already have a good set of external computer speakers they will probably do the trick just fine.

Next You need a Screen. While you can just hang a bed sheet, which we have done and it works fine, we decided it was time to upgrade a bit and get something a bit better, and by a bit better I mean something totally awesome! We purchased the Gemmy 39127-32 Deluxe Outdoor Inflatable 12-Ft. Wide Movie Screen, Oh My is this thing cool, it really made movie night special with this gigantic screen up where everyone could see it. Just a little info about this item though, when you first put it up make sure you get the zippers around the fans zipped all the way, it’s kind of hard to tell and it won’t blow up good if you don’t. Also the screen has a lot of creases in it from being folded up in the bag but you won’t notice them when it’s dark out and the movie is playing. Also I decided it’s too hard to try and get back in the bag when you’re done so i’m keeping mine in a storage tote.

You Will Need A Family Friendly Movie. I suggest you make this a community decision. Keeping this appropriate for all ages is extremely important, you want a movie that will hold the attention of everyone. Disney and Pixar movies are always a great option but there are also some other great choices out there. It’s not easy to please the masses but the film doesn’t have to change the world it just has to keep everyone entertained for a couple hours.

.

Snacks Are A Must! The traditional movie treats of course are popcorn and chocolate but we think this is a great opportunity to introduce folks to the wonderful world of homesteading by making a few special treats for everyone to enjoy like some zucchini chips and perhaps some cucumber dip or maybe some homemade salsa. Of course you can’t not have popcorn!

Now just let everyone know to bring a lawn chair or a blanket and maybe to rub down with something to keep the bugs away and that’s it. There are other things you can do if you want but this is enough to make it an epic neighborhood event.

.

.

These events are so much fun and no matter if you go all out or do something a little simpler and cheaper it will be an event your neighbors will enjoy and talk about for months. So get out there, build community, make friends, enjoy life and make the world a better place by hosting a neighborhood outdoor movie night. Happy Homesteading!

Follow Us On Instagram

Thanks for stopping by the Small Town Homestead for a visit. Check out our About page to find out a little more about us and why we homestead. You can chat with us through our Contact Us page or join us on Facebook or one of our other social media pages. Please come back and visit us again anytime. God Bless and Happy Homesteading.

The Small Town Homestead is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Some posts and pages on this website contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission whenever a product is purchased through these links.